The Economy: Call it The Pause that Might Refresh: Global economies appear to be coasting into the new year at a steady state. Neither expansion nor contraction is on the horizon. Some of the negative interest rates in Europe have returned to the positive side of the ledger. If the Chinese Communist Party organs are to be believed, growth there is powering along at 7%. Brexit is unfolding with the usual court challenges to the will of the people. The Fed meeting was a non-event and I’m beginning to think that an interest rate hike may not happen in December. Bookies have the probability at 70-80% but I don’t see a compelling reason. If the Presidential Candidate known as The FBI Suspect is elected interest rates may stay lower for 4 more years. If the Presidential Candidate known as The Russian Spy is elected, Janet and the 7 Dwarfs may push interest rates through the roof … in a hissy fit of spite before they are fired. Call it life in a 3rd world country.

Food for Thought:
1944: 18-year olds storm the beach of Normandy into almost certain death.
2016: 18-year olds need a safe place because words hurt their feelings.